Leicester City midfielders N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater have earned their first call-ups for their respective national teams as they join the Foxes' already heaving international contingent.

Danny Drinkwater and N'Golo Kante have both earned international call-ups thanks to their outstanding form this season (Photo: Getty)

As announced on Thursday evening, Leicester City midfielders, N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater have both been called up to their respective international teams for the first time.

Being welcomed into the France and England squads in search of a debut international appearance each, this latest accomplishment not only caps a so-far outstanding season for the Foxes but also for their dynamic midfield duo.

Unsung heroes

Over the duration of the current campaign, Drinkwater and Kante have really shone and most are suggesting that the pair are key to Leicester's title challenge (despite the majority of the headlines being grabbed by the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy). Combining in the centre of the park at the King Power Stadium, the two have earned plenty of plaudits and can now add Didier Deschamps and Roy Hodgson to those providing admiring glances.

Establishing himself at Premier League level after a slight season of struggle in 2014/15, Drinkwater, 26, has become a key player in Claudio Ranieri's side. Possessing a wonderful passing ability and a great talent of reading the game, the ex-Manchester United man is now displaying the early promise he showed in his early years at Old Trafford.

Drinkwater has become a key player after initially struggling in the Premier League | Photo: Getty

As a matter of fact, he even managed to score his debut top-flight goal recently in Leicester's 3-0 win over Stoke City. Therefore, it is no surprise to see the talented midfielder receive a call-up to the Three Lions squad and join Foxes' team-mate Jamie Vardy for their upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany.

Although, a lot of the praise has gone to Drinkwater's midfield partner, N'Golo Kante. Signed for a reported £5.6million from SM Caen in the summer, he has really gone on to make a name for himself at the King Power Stadium. Combining smart tackling and relentless interceptions, he has drawn comparisons with former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder, Claude Makelele.

Also displaying an extremely forward-thinking style of play, the former Boulogne trainee has also managed to get his name on the scoresheet (in the Foxes' 2-1 victory over Watford in November). Again, it is no surprise to see Kante receive a call to international football. He now goes into consideration for France's tussles with the Netherlands and Russia.

International interest

With Kante and Drinkwater both set to travel away from the Midlands during the upcoming international break, the two join an already large contingent at the club. It looks very much like most of the Leicester City squad will be jetting off - including the likes of Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs, Gokhan Inler, Riyad Mahrezand Kasper Schmeichel (among others).

Elsewhere, Ben Chilwell and recent signing Demarai Gray have both been offered places in Gareth Southgate's England U21 set-up for their upcoming European Championship qualifier against Switzerland.